How do you run local government in a time of social distancing? The answer: carefully, and when possible, remotely.

On Wednesday, the seven members of the St. Paul City Council gathered at City Hall for what may be their final face-to-face meeting for weeks.

With Council President Amy Brendmoen sitting in the council chambers, the six other members departed to a side hearing room to test out remote-access hardware and software that will allow them to hold virtual meetings in real-time.

After a few glitches and headset adjustments, all of their faces appeared on a central screen, almost like the opening montage of “The Brady Bunch.”

After checking legal requirements for open meetings in times of crisis, the council confirmed key changes to their weekly Wednesday meetings. Beginning March 25, all meetings will be held remotely, with council members tuning in from home offices.

Public hearing items will be heard at 3:30 p.m., though how public testimony will be taken remains to be seen. Some items will have to be postponed. There will be no evening hearings.

The “new normal” hasn’t stopped council members from interacting with constituents, albeit at a safe distance.

Council Member Rebecca Noecker, who represents downtown, Grand Avenue and West Side areas hard-hit by full or partial restaurant closures, said in her public newsletter Thursday she’ll resume her reoccurring open constituent get-togethers next month through live Facebook video. The “Virtual Lunch with Rebecca” and “Virtual Happy Hour” will be held on April 7, April 23 and May 5.

Frederick Melo was once sued by a reader for $2 million but kept on writing. He came to the Pioneer Press in 2005 and brings a testy East Coast attitude to St. Paul beat reporting. He spent nearly six years covering crime in the Dakota County courts before switching focus to the St. Paul mayor's office, city council, and all things neighborhood-related, from the city's churches to its parks and light rail. A resident of Hamline-Midway, he is married to a Frogtown woman. He Tweets with manic intensity at @FrederickMelo.

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